Illuminated artificial christmas tree

ABSTRACT

The artificial Christmas tree has a trunk configured in the form of popular or religious inspired figures, which may include a Christian cross, Santa Claus, an angel, Jesus, holiday signage and a reindeer. The artificial tree is provided with a base to support the trunk and with artificial branches and/or materials that simulate the shape of a Christmas tree. The branches and base are removably attached to the trunk to allow for dismantling and storage. The trunk is fabricated from plastic and/or other material that may be translucent to light. A source of light can be disposed inside the trunk to illuminate the trunk. The branches are of different lengths and configurations so that the assembled artificial tree will assume the shape of a Christmas tree as much as possible.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/450,676, filed Oct. 6, 2009, and International Patent No.PCT/US2008/010975, filed Sep. 22, 2008, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/960,245, filed on Sep. 21,2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to decorative objects. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to an artificial Christmastree that is designed in the shape of popular or religious-inspiredfigures.

2. Description of the Related Art

Decorating the house and/or yard for Christmas is traditional in mostChristian households in the western world. In fact, since the Christmasholiday has been embraced by most retail establishments, the display ofholiday inspired decorations is practiced in many non-Christianhouseholds. The central decorative theme of Christmas has always beenthe Christmas tree. Because of various constraints (shedding, the needto water, size, annual monetary expenditure, etc.) live or harvestedtrees are not always prudent for display in the home or commercialestablishment. In recent years, the artificial Christmas tree has beenutilized as a solution to this problem. Heretofore the artificial treehas been fabricated to resemble a “real” tree as much as possible.However, many consumers desire new and varied options instead of thesame traditional “tree look”. For example, many people would prefer adecorative tree that would embrace a religious theme. Others, however,might want to emphasize a secular approach. Thus, an artificialChristmas tree solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The artificial Christmas tree has a trunk configured in the form ofpopular or religious-inspired figures, which may include, but are notlimited to, a Christian cross, Santa Claus, an angel and a reindeer. Theartificial tree is provided with a base to support the trunk and withartificial branches or materials that simulate the shape of a “real”Christmas tree. The branch design, base and trunk are removably attachedto allow for dismantling and storage. As contemplated, in someembodiments the trunk is fabricated from plastic material that istranslucent to light. A source of light is disposed inside the trunkwhereby to illuminate the trunk. In other embodiments, the light may beemitted from an external source, or there may be no lighting at all. Thebranches are of different lengths and configurations so that theassembled artificial tree will assume the shape of a Christmas tree asmuch as possible. The tree may be designed for adjustability. Decorativeornaments may be hung from the branches as is customary.

Accordingly, the artificial Christmas tree presents a choice ofdecorative themes. The invention provides for improved elements thereofin an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

A clear understanding of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of anartificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of a second embodiment ofan artificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of a third embodiment of anartificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an environmental, perspective view of a fourth embodiment ofan artificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the branch insert structure of an artificialChristmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an environmental, perspective view of a fifth embodiment of anartificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an environmental, perspective view of a sixth embodiment of anartificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an environmental, perspective view of a seventh embodiment ofan artificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an environmental, perspective view of an eighth embodiment ofan artificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of support tubing for an artificial Christmastree according to the present invention, shown broken away and partiallyin section.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view in section of support tubing foran artificial Christmas tree according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the artificial Christmas treeis generally indicated at 10. The trunk 12 of the tree is configured asa Christian cross and is removably mounted on a base 14. Trunk 12 ispreferably fabricated from a suitable plastic material that istranslucent to light. Trunk 12 has an interior that houses lightemitting devices 16. Devices 16 can be adapted for operation by eitherAC or DC (battery) or other suitable power sources. Artificial branches18, which simulate the branches of a Christmas tree, are removablyattached to the trunk. Branches 18 are of different lengths and shapesso that when assembled on the trunk, the artificial tree will assume theshape of a conventional Christmas tree.

The artificial trees of FIGS. 2-5 each have trunks 12 that arerespectively configured as a popular Christmas figure, a reindeer, anangel and Santa Claus. As in FIG. 1, each trunk 12 is fabricated fromtranslucent plastic material and houses light emitting devices 16. Eachtrunk is also provided with removable, simulated branches 18. As notedabove, the trunk can be designed to assume other configurations ifdesired.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial view of trunk 12 sectioned to show openings12 a therein. Each opening 12 a is sized to receive the stem 18 a of arespective branch 18. The number and orientation of openings 12 a aswell as the length, shape, number and type of branches and/or materials18 will be pre-determined based on design considerations.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate artificial trees that employ the Christian cross 20as trunks, similar to that discussed above. However, the embodiments ofFIGS. 6 through 8 utilize spirally configured decorative structures 22,24 and 26 in lieu of faux branches. The crosses may be illuminated asdiscussed above, or may employ other forms of illumination (indirect LEDlights, bubble lights, etc.) that are installed for example, in the base14 of the tree. The spiral structure 22 includes decorative lighting 22a thereon. Structure 22 is designed to resemble Christmas wreathmaterial. Spiral structure 24 is a continuous neon light and can beadapted to change colors during operation. Spiral structure 26 is alsoconstructed to resemble Christmas wreath material. However, the spiralstructure 26 is devoid of internal lighting means. All of the spiralstructures can be removably attached to the crosses by any convenientmethod (pins, tape, hook and loop fasteners, etc.) The trees can be madeto rotate in the base, as is conventional in the art. Although thespiral configuration is preferred, it should be noted that othergeometric configurations (rings, hexagons, squares, etc.) could beutilized, if desired.

As best seen in FIGS. 9-11, the artificial Christmas tree includes anembodiment wherein a vertical trunk 30 can be disassembled for storage.Trunk 30 comprises separable, tongue-and-groove tubing segments 32 thatare locked end to end to form the hollow trunk 30. A rod 34 is disposedin the trunk and is frictionally retained therein via a collar 30 a atthe top of the trunk 30. A similar collar (not shown) is disposed at thebottom of the trunk 30. The rod 34 enhances the rigidity and stabilityof the trunk 30 and is designed in separable segments 34 a for easydisassembly.

L-shaped openings 32 a are strategically arranged through each tubingsegment 32. Openings 32 a are adapted to receive artificial branches 36therein. Although illustrated in a circular configuration, it should benoted that the trunk 30 may be fabricated in other shapes (rectangular,octagonal, hexagonal, etc.), if desired. Horizontal cross member 38 isalso made of separable segments and can be attached to the verticaltrunk 30 in any convenient manner.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. An artificial Christmas tree comprising: a trunk configured as aChristian cross; and decorative structure attached to the trunk, thedecorative structure having a spiral configuration and encompassing thetrunk.
 2. The artificial Christmas tree according to claim 1, whereinsaid decorative structure is fabricated from artificial, simulatedChristmas wreath material.
 3. The artificial Christmas tree according toclaim 1, wherein said decorative structure is fabricated fromartificial, simulated Christmas wreath material, the artificialChristmas tree further comprising decorative lighting disposed on saidartificial, simulated Christmas wreath material.
 4. The artificialChristmas tree according to claim 1, wherein said decorative structurecomprises continuous neon light tubing.
 5. An artificial Christmas tree,comprising: a trunk configured as a Christian cross having a verticalcomponent and a horizontal component, the vertical component having ahollow interior, an upper end, and a lower end, the vertical componenthaving a plurality of openings defined therein; a rod disposed in thehollow interior of the vertical component and extending from the lowerend to the upper end; and a plurality of artificial, simulated treebranches disposed in the plurality of openings.
 6. The artificialChristmas tree according to claim 5, wherein said rod is frictionallysecured in the hollow interior of said vertical component at the upperend and the lower end of said vertical component.
 7. The artificialChristmas tree according to claim 5, wherein said trunk is fabricated ofseparable tubing segments.
 8. The artificial Christmas tree according toclaim 5, wherein said rod is fabricated of separable segments.
 9. Anartificial Christmas tree, comprising: a trunk configured as a Christiancross having a vertical component and a horizontal component, thevertical component having a hollow interior, an upper end, and a lowerend, the vertical component having a plurality of openings definedtherein; a rod disposed in the hollow interior of the verticalcomponent, the rod extending from the lower end to the upper end; acollar member disposed in the hollow interior, the collar memberfrictionally engaging the rod; and a plurality of artificial, simulatedtree branches disposed in the plural of openings.
 10. The artificialChristmas tree according to claim 9, wherein said trunk and said rod arefabricated of separable segments.